There was no way Chong Sheng was going to give up.

Compared to his previous life, this was nothing. For his revenge, he couldn't die yet—at least, not at the hands of such weaklings.

The temperature dropped. The black Qi surged once more—denser, heavier, more vicious than before.

"You'll regret this—every last one of you!"

Chong Sheng's hair whipped in the violent wind, his eyes burning with crimson light. The black mist seethed around him, thick with resentment and defiance.

His voice trembled with fury, each word laced with killing intent.

"Quan Clan, remember this well—I'll return. When I do, I'll reduce this clan to ashes!"

The onlookers recoiled.

Arrogant! Suicidal! Mad!

The murmurs surged again.

"Still dares to threaten them?"

"He's lost it—he won't live past today!"

"Demonic cultivators are always so delusional before death!"

A group of Quan Guards lunged forward, Qi blazing, weapons drawn.

"There is no next time for you, wretch!"

One elder shouted.

"Die here and pay for your sins!"

Chong Sheng sneered, blood dripping from the corner of his lips.

"We'll see about that."

Then he raised his trembling hand and—without hesitation—bit down on his fingertip. A droplet of scarlet blood welled up, glowing faintly with an eerie light.

Before anyone could stop him, he thrust that blood into the air, tracing swift, complex sigils that burned into existence with a hiss.

The symbols twisted and rotated, forming an intricate array of runes that pulsed with dark crimson light.

"What is he doing?!"

"Stop him!"

The guards charged.

But the array flared to life before they could reach him.

Shhhhhh—!

A low hum filled the hall as the blood-red formation circle spun faster and faster, expanding beneath Chong Sheng's feet like a blooming flower of death.

In the next instant, the symbols shot upward, enveloping him in a cocoon of black and red light.

The very air warped around him, distorting like ripples on the surface of a pond.

BOOM!

The formation erupted with a thunderous pulse of power, the pressure sweeping through the hall like a storm.

When the light finally faded—

He was gone.

Only a faint scorch mark remained where Chong Sheng had stood.

Silence!

The entire arena froze, disbelief written across every face.

"...He disappeared?"

"No, it must be a trick to deceive us."

"Search for him! He can't have gone far!"

But no matter how many guards rushed to and fro, no trace of Chong Sheng remained.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Quan Zhiyang's mother trembled, staring at the scorched ground with hatred.

Princess Sun Yaoqing was stunned.

"He actually escaped," she murmured.

She didn't recognize the formation Chong Sheng had used, but it seemed like a teleportation formation—or something similar.

Yet it was far too advanced; no formation master within the Falling Star Empire was capable of such a thing.

With her senses, it was almost impossible for someone like Chong Sheng to hide from her. So it was certain—he had been teleported as she couldn't sense his presence in Quan Clan.

But how could a slave know how to use a teleportation formation?

Not to mention, the Qi required to activate one.

(If only he weren't a demonic cultivator…)

Such a person, even disregarding his cultivation, with his knowledge of formations, could have been a tremendous asset to the Falling Star Empire.

But with the revelation of his Demonic Technique, she could no longer recruit him.

Quan Lingshu's face darkened like thunderclouds.

Not only had someone from the Quan Clan learned demonic arts—but that person had also managed to escape before them.

This was humiliation beyond measure.

He slammed his palm into the armrest of his seat, shattering it to splinters.

"Seal the entire compound! Search every inch! I want him found—dead or alive!"

He didn't believe Chong Sheng had teleported. He thought the man must still be hiding somewhere nearby.

And through it all, Bai Zihan merely sat there—smiling faintly, eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

(Looks like killing Chong Sheng isn't as easy as I expected.)

Even if he had joined in to kill Chong Sheng, the man would likely have still found a way to escape.

By staying uninvolved, Bai Zihan had avoided drawing Chong Sheng's hatred. The youth's vengeance was now directed solely at the Quan Clan.

So he had nothing to worry about—at least, not for now.

Instead, he had gained valuable information. Chong Sheng, while weak, had enough trump cards to survive.

It was a cold reminder never to underestimate those Heaven's Chosen types.

It was certain Chong Sheng wouldn't forget this humiliation—and one day, he would return for revenge.

Well, what happens to the Quan Clan didn't matter to Bai Zihan.

Initially, he had intended to destroy the Quan Clan himself, suspecting they had aided the Organization in establishing their base in this region.

But now… it was better to leave that task to Chong Sheng.

With him gone, there was little chance of tracking him. He would surely become a wanted man, forced into hiding.

The only time Bai Zihan might find him again… would be when Chong Sheng returned for vengeance.

(Though I wonder how long I'll have to wait.)

Still, it had been a wise decision not to interfere and draw the ire of such a dangerous person.

Chong Sheng wouldn't be able to live quietly; he would suffer before regaining his strength—but as a Heaven's Chosen, he would inevitably rise again.

The oppressive silence lingered long after Chong Sheng vanished.

Princess Sun Yaoqing exhaled softly, her expression unreadable beneath the faint glimmer of shock in her eyes.

Then—

A chair scraped lightly against the floor.

Bai Zihan rose from his seat.

His movement drew every gaze in the hall. Calm, unhurried, yet his presence alone commanded silence once more.

He turned toward Princess Sun Yaoqing, his tone polite but faintly cool.

"Your Highness," he said. "It seems we've seen enough for today. Since the Quan Clan must now tend to its… internal matters, we should take our leave."

His words were mild, but they cut like a blade sheathed in silk.

Princess Sun Yaoqing hesitated, then gave a small nod.

"I agree."

As the two prepared to depart, Quan Lingshu finally broke from his stupor. His composure cracked as he hurried forward, face drawn and anxious.

"Y–Young Master Bai, please, wait!"

He bowed deeply, forcing a strained smile.

"This unfortunate incident has shamed my clan. Please allow us to make amends. You and Her Highness have yet to enjoy the banquet prepared in your honor—at least stay a few hours, to show my Quan Clan's hospitality!"

Bai Zihan paused, his gaze settling on the kneeling Clan Leader.

"I appreciate the offer," he said softly. "But I believe it would be unwise to linger when the matter before you is so grave. Attend to your affairs first."

Quan Lingshu's expression faltered—humility warring with desperation.

Just as Bai Zihan turned to leave, he spoke again.

"If you happen to find any trace of that man—or capture him," Bai Zihan said lightly, "I would like to be informed."

For a heartbeat, silence hung heavy once more.

Then Quan Lingshu straightened instantly, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes.

"Of course! Of course, Young Master Bai!" he said fervently. "You have my word—our Quan Clan will spare no effort in finding that traitor! He will not escape us again!"

Princess Sun Yaoqing looked slightly puzzled.

(Why is Bai Zihan so interested in that demonic cultivator?)

Although she couldn't deny her own curiosity—wondering where Chong Sheng had learned such an advanced formation despite being a slave—for Bai Zihan, the Young Master of the Desolate Heaven Empire, it shouldn't have been that surprising.

Well, it was no use trying to gauage the mind of Bai Zihan since it was impossible.

Bai Zihan's lips curved faintly—a polite smile, nothing more.

"Good!"

He inclined his head, then turned away.

The faint rustle of his robe was the only sound as he and Princess Sun Yaoqing walked toward the exit, the crowd parting instinctively before them.

Only when they were gone did Quan Lingshu finally exhale, his fists clenching at his sides.

"Mobilize every scout," he barked. "I want the entire region searched. That wretch won't slip through our fingers a second time!"

Outside, under the dimming sky, Bai Zihan's expression changed.

(If you don't find him soon, your Quan Clan is as good as gone.)

He knew that much.

If Chong Sheng lived, the Quan Clan's doom was already sealed.

Perhaps a year at most.

Three months, if Chong Sheng was quick.

That was the time he might need to regain the strength required to destroy the Quan Clan.

So if the Quan Clan wants to survive, they must find Chong Sheng before he regains enough power to destory them.

(I wonder how quickly he'll rise?)

He wasn't sure when he might encounter Chong Sheng again if he were to go back to the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Perhaps he mightn't see him ever again.

He looked up at the blood-colored sky and chuckled softly—the sound almost lost to the wind.

"The heavens also favor the mad, it seems."

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